Healthy 7-Layers of Heaven Bars (GF, DF)
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Oh my gosh, you guys - I haven’t gotten THIS darn excited (and obsessed) about a recipe in quite a long time. I realize I probably say that often on the blog but I’m totally serious this time. These 7 Layer bars are literally heaven on earth and they have been carrying me through my caloric needs for breastfeeing a newborn around the clock.
To tell you the truth, I somehow had never had a 7 layer cookie bar until the other day when we stopped in a local bakery. Of course, the first thing I asked my husband was to check if they had any gluten free options. When he said no, and came back with a seven layer bar, I concluded that I could definltey recreate this absolutely divine creation in my kitchen, using 100% real food, gluten free ingredients.
I decided to use my favorite organic, sprouted gluten free (and glyphosate free) oats with oat flour as a crust base (along with some grass fed butter and coconut sugar to sweeten.) I then used organic coconut flakes, crushed walnuts, chocolate chips and some other real food goodies for the other layers of the bars.
I could not BELIEVE how ridiculously delicious they turned out. Those are the only two words to describe them. Ridiculously delicious. They are so amazing. I’ve made 4 batches in the last 4 weeks and they have been gone in 2 days every time.
And while they are definitely calorie loaded, they’re guilt free in my book because they’re made with all whole food ingredients with lots of healthy fat and protein and natural sugar from coconut palm. Calories are not created equal to me - these are the ultimate guilt-free clean treat.
I had to make them several times to get them to “stick together” correctly and make legit bars but I finally got the recipe down perfectly and its here for you lovely people.
I also should mention that these 7 layer bars seriously (seriously guys!!) come together very easily and quickly (hence why I have managed to make them often, even with a newborn in the household). You do have to freeze the crust before cutting them into bars, though - so I think the hardest part, honestly, is waiting!
Healthy 7-Layers of Heaven Bars (GF, DF)
Makes: 12-14 bars
Time: 30-40 minutes (plus time to chill)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup organic gluten free oats (we love this brand)
1 cup organic gluten free oats blended into oat flour
1/2 cup organic coconut palm sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup shredded coconut flakes
2 cups semi sweet mini chocolate chips
1 cup organic full fat coconut milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup honey, melted
a pinch of sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 8x8 baking pan with unbleached parchment paper.
First, use your blender to blend up 1 cup of gluten free oats until it turns into oat flour consistency.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine your cup of oat flour with your cup of gluten free oats and add in the coconut sugar.
Drizzle your melted honey and butter into the bowl and mix until its evenly incorporated. This will make the “crust” layer.
Sprinkle your crust mixture evenly over the bottom of your baking pan. Use your hands to firmly press the mixture down into an even crust layer.
Spinkle 1/3 of the chocolate chips on top of the crust layer.
Using a spoon, drizzle 1/3 cup of the coconut milk (make sure you shake the can well before to make sure that its incoroproated well) over the chocolate chips.
Then sprinkle your coconut flakes for an even layer.
Then add a layer of chopped walnuts.
Then add a layer of the remaining chocolate chips.
Drizzle the remaining coconut milk on top evenly.
Sprinkle the top with a pinch of sea salt. Add a small drizzle of honey if you’d like too.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top just begins to brown slightly.
Remove from the oven and place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour until it solidifies and you can use a knife to cut it into bars. Once they’re cut up into bars, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
